Algarve Christmas Events 2022
Christmas memories are still alive in the Algarve, with fairs, markets, and other events helping to create an atmosphere of pure magic for young and old alike. Experience the Christmas season at Jardim da Meia Praia and enjoy the Christmas events in the Algarve in 2022. Follow our suggestions and spend unique family moments during your well-deserved holidays.
Not yet sure where to spend Christmas with your family? The Algarve is particularly charming at this time of year. At Christmastime, the big shopping streets fill with people and the steam from the pots of the chestnut sellers gives these days a warm atmosphere. Add to this melancholy of the illuminated cities the most beautiful moments of a family holiday in one of the apartments or villas of Jardim da Meia Praia and experience a holy Christmas.
What Christmas events are there in the Algarve in 2022?
1. Christmas Village in Lagos
The Christmas magic will be felt in Lagos' waterfront area from 3 December to 24 December. The Praça do Infante, an open square surrounded by several of the city's monuments, will be home to the House of Santa Claus. The mythical figure of the season will welcome children for the annual photo shoot and listen to the little ones' wishes for gifts they would like to see in their Christmas stockings. In addition to Santa's house, there is an ecological ice rink for children, cultural events around the date, an art, and crafts and gastronomy market dedicated to Christmas, and various entertainment activities.
If you do not want to miss one of the highlights of the Christmas Village, do not miss Santa's arrival in Lagos on Saturday, 3 December, with the distribution of gifts and a performance by the Grupo Coral de Lagos children's choir. This initiative starts at 3 pm.
The opening hours of the Lagos Santa's Village are Monday to Thursday from 12 pm to 8 pm, Friday from 12 pm to 9 pm and weekends and public holidays (Saturday, Sunday and public holiday on 8 December) from 10 am to 9 pm.
2. Christmas Tales in Lagos
Help nurture the magical world of children's imagination by listening to Christmas stories with them. The Lagos Municipal Library organized this initiative, and Márcia Gamito will teach the children different social themes related to Christmas. Participation is free, but the number of participants is limited to five children per event. Prior registration is possible at the Christmas Village at Praça do Infante. See the dates and titles of the stories for each session:
1- Tudo o que Preciso para o Natal... São os meus Amigos! - 4 December, 4 pm.
2- Natal com a Tia Josefina - 8 December, 4 pm.
3- Era uma Vez um Milagre de Natal - 10 December, at 4 pm.
4- Ema e as Luzes da Noite - 11 December, at 4 pm.
5- Flocos de Neve - 17 December, at 4 pm.
6- Magia na Noite de Natal - 18 December, at 4 pm.
3. Christmas in the village of Mexilhoeira Grande
The village of Mexilhoeira Grande in Portimão dedicates three days in December to Christmas in a spirit of magic and solidarity. As Christmas is above all a time of sharing, this event will include a strong solidarity component to support the "Vicente's colourful world" campaign. Vicente is a 7-year-old boy with cerebral palsy who desperately needs our support to continue various treatments for his health.
The traders and producers are not forgotten either, and their shops and products will be the focus of the village during the three days of this Christmas event. Mexilhoeira Grande will have carousels, entertainment, musical moments and much more. The full programme for 9, 10 and 11 December can be found on the website of the municipality of Mexilhoeira Grande.
4. A Christmas dream in Portimão
A whole month of dreams and magic in Portimão - that's what the local council is offering during the Christmas season. From 6 December to 6 January, "A Christmas Dream" is the main attraction for children in the city. Take note of the many events planned in Portimão, from the ice rink to the Christmas train, the Christmas market, the life-size Christmas Crib, Santa's house and numerous performances.
To begin, Santa Claus and his elves will arrive in Portimão on 6 December at 5 pm. On the same day, the Christmas lights will be turned on, this year with precautionary measures to deal with the energy crisis. The city council will soon announce another themed area for children this year. Every day, expect to see the much-anticipated parades, shows, and performances on the streets.
Find out more about the Christmas Dream in Portimão on the municipality's digital agenda.
5. Vila Real de Santo António has the country's largest Christmas crib
It is the largest Christmas crib in the country and celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. This nativity scene will set a new record in 2022 with a staggering 5700 pieces. Thousands of figures and valuable items are contained in a large area. The preparations for setting up the nativity scene once again involve long hours of work, a lot of material input and, above all, a lot of taste. The animated and motorized figures or the areas that are faithfully depicted as some well-known areas of the eastern Algarve are the main attractions of the nativity scene.
The huge nativity scene with more than 5,000 pieces will be at the Centro Cultural António Aleixo.
The Christmas magic is already in the air, and a holiday to the Algarve is the best gift we can find in our Christmas stocking this year. Experience a family reunion in another place where the Christmas atmosphere is still present, albeit in more pleasant temperatures that invite you to take walks among the markets, fairs, and Christmas events.